KALAMAZOO -- Noodles & Co. was set to open its second Kalamazoo-area location at 5363 W. Main St. today after a day of VIP lunch and dinner soft-opening events Tuesday.

Owner Ralph Staelgraeve said he credits the expansion to the popularity of the franchise's "global noodle dish" concept, which ranges from Italian to Thai to American, and to its fresh and healthy approach -- including 16 dishes under 400 calories.

"We don't have a freezer, a fryer, a microwave or a can opener in our restaurant. That's how fresh our food is," he said. "It's pretty neat. Think about it. It's gotta be fresh, and it's good for you."

The restaurant employs a "fast casual" approach to dining in which patrons place orders at the counter but receive full service after ordering. Dishes cost an average about $8.
The new location will be open seven days a week.

The franchise's Portage location is at 6150 S. Westnedge Ave.

For more information, call the restaurant at (269) 382-4100 or the Portage store at (269) 324-1111. The menu is available online at www.noodles.com.